Chinese Medicine for Alopecia Areata

Tip! acupunture

Alopecia areata is considered to be an auto-immune condition in which the body's immune system, specifically the white blood cells, attack the hair follicles, leading to hair loss, which can be on the scalp or elsewhere.

In most cases of alopecia, the hair falls out in small round patches about the size of a quarter. Alopecia areata affects approximately four million Americans of both sexes, and all ages and backgrounds. The effects of alopecia are primarily socially and emotionally disturbing, because of its unpredictable effects on a person's appearance. It is not life threatening or painful.

There are a number of Chinese herbs that can be beneficial for this condition. Chinese medicine treats the root imbalances in the body that result in alopecia. When the body is brought into balance, symptoms resolve themselves and slowly disappear. There are two patterns in Chinese Medicine that can result in the hair loss symptomatic of alopecia areata. The first is a pattern of Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency. This means that the energy of the body that normally nourishes the hair follicles is deficient. When herbs are used that nourish Liver and Kidney Yin, hair can start to grow back. The second pattern is that of Toxic Heat in the body. This means that there is an inflammatory condition in the body that is a result of excess acidity from a poor diet, exposure to pollution or other toxins, or an infection. In most people with alopecia areata, these two conditions exist in combination with each other.

It is necessary to reduce inflammation and acidity in the body while nourishing the cooling yin energy of the body that nourishes hair growth.

He Shou Wu, polygonum or Fo-ti, is one herb that can be beneficial for people with alopecia areata. This herb has been used traditionally in China for graying hair and premature hair loss. It is a general tonic for the brain and the body, and can improve the quality of hair growth on the head. It can take three to six months of use to see the full benefits of Fo-ti. The Chinese have also traditionally used this herb as a longevity tonic.

Ligustrum and eclipta are also two Chinese herbs used to nourish hair growth by strengthening the Liver and Kidney Yin energy of the body. Research done in China have shown that these herbs can promote hair growth in people with alopecia areata.

Chinese wolfberries are also a general body tonic that improve blood circulation to hair follicles of the head. This herb can work well in combination with the herbs listed above.

In order to clear the inflammation and acidity that can trigger alopecia, mint, dandelion, and honeysuckle herbs can be used in combination.

Tip! Traditional acupuncture as practiced in China for more than 2,500 years is one of the vital components of the Chinese medicine system. It involves the insertion of stainless steel needles into various body areas, along with a low-frequency current to the needles to produce greater stimulation.

Some supplements that may be of benefit in combination with Chinese herbs include vitamin C, flaxseed oil, and nettle tea. All of these are anti-inflammatory and detoxifying to the body. Eating black beans and black sesame seeds can also be helpful when taken alongside Chinese herbs.

Chinese herbs are a safe, natural, effective, health-promoting way to treat alopecia areata and increase hair growth.

Chinese Medicine Workshop in Boca Raton Take a workshop in acutonics and harmonic medicine at Equisol in Florida.

Dr. Khan is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has her own line of herbal supplements, including one for alopecia, at http://www.yinessence.com. You can reach her at farah@yinessence.com

Can Chinese Medicine Help You Quit Smoking?

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Addiction is now the biggest preventable killer in Britain, causing 150,000 deaths a year (120,000 tobacco related, 33,000 alcohol related and 1,700 drugs related).
How can Chinese medicine help with addiction?

Chinese medicine has beneficial effects on addiction to various substances. The most commonly treated addictions at AcuMedic clinics are smoking and alcoholism.

Smoking has a detrimental impact on all major systems of the human body, in particular, the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems. In Chinese medical theory, smoking weakens the Lung's function of commanding the overall movement of Qi, Blood and Meridians, by creating Heat in the Lung and Stomach, which in turn will cause Fire in the Heart and/or stagnation of Liver Qi, hence withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, palpitations, mood swings and restlessness occur.

Chinese medicine can reduce the craving for cigarettes. Studies show that patients after treatment often report a dislike for the smell of tobacco and that the craving stops when they press ear points with herbal seeds on (This is called ear acupuncture where either herbal seeds or metal studs are plastered on to certain points on the ears).

Alcoholism, like smoking, can cause irreversible damage to all major organs in the human body, although a moderate amount of alcohol under certain circumstances can be beneficial for health. Chinese medicine treats any withdrawal symptoms and reduces the craving. It has no side effects.

Acupuncture stimulates detoxification, promotes a heightened sense of relaxation, and encourages endorphin production, which makes it an excellent tool for overcoming addiction. Herbal medicine helps the body to cope with stress, improves circulation and promotes mental and physical alertness.

Treatment for addiction can be effective only if the patient is determined to change. The length of treatment depends on the patient's response and on the severity and duration of the addiction. Drug addiction can also benefit from Chinese medical treatment.

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The Author 'Acumedic' has over 30 years of experience developing and enhancing all aspects of Chinese medicine, Acupuncture and traditional herbal treatments. With an extensive range of Products and Services Acumedic is one of the most comprehensive suppliers in Europe. For more Information please visit http://www.acumedic.com.

USING CHINESE HERBS FOR HEALTH




Author: Michelle Bery

The history of Chinese herbs used for medicinal purposes dates back to sometime between 800 and 200 BC with the publication of Huang Di Nei Jing - The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine. At this time, a combination of 28 separate Chinese herbs had been discovered to have great healing power and the combination of many of these are still in existence today.

By around 500 AD, Chinese herbs had been sorted into a classification system that helped guide their use depending on the particular situation. Superior herbs were used to help sustain health - much as we use herbal and vitamin supplements today; middle herbs were used to treat illness; and inferior herbs were used to cure disease. Chinese herbs have been credited with successfully treating everything from acne to infertility.

In today's world, where traditional medicine tends to focus on the methods employed in Western medicine, much of the uses of Chinese herbs are largely passed over. But for those who look towards non-traditional medicine as a means of recovering health or even as a supplement to traditional medical care, they will find the benefits of Chinese herbs to be rooted in ancient knowledge and a history of success.

Chinese herbs can be found in a variety of places including medical offices following the Eastern practice of medicine, Asian markets, and even online. But the use of Chinese herbs, while most often safe, should be used under the guidance of a medical professional and after extensive research has been performed.

If there is an interest in using Chinese herbs to help supplement health or treat an existing condition, it is best to research those herbs that have shown success in these particular instances. Seek out a medical professional or someone well-versed in the use of Chinese herbs to determine the best way to proceed.

When Chinese herbs are used in conjunction with education, preparedness, and medical supervision, they can be a fantastic tool to achieving overall, natural health.